With gun rights comes gun-owner responsibility

Gun violence victims and gun control advocates gather at Cornell Square Park to mark the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting Dec. 14, Chicago. 13 people, including a three-year-old boy, were wounded when gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered at the basketball courts in Cornell Square Park in September. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Thanks for the informative article regarding the gun summit organized by supporters of Initiative 594 [“Anniversary a call to action” page one, Dec. 13]. However, I believe the media coverage of this initiative misses the mark.

I-594 is not about gun control. Rather, it is about gun responsibility.

Alan Gottlieb is the founder of the Second Amendment Foundation and advocates for gun rights. I acknowledge his right to own guns. However, what about the rights of children to be safe at school?

With gun rights comes gun-owner responsibility. King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg stated, “Gun owners are not the problem. In fact, they are the solution.” He stressed that gun owners voting for I-594 is the key to winning.

I-594, if passed, would require criminal background checks on all gun sales in our state. The background checks would target convicted felons, abusers, stalkers, terrorists and the seriously mentally ill. As a former gun owner and hunter, I support this measure.

Welcome to The Seattle Times' online letters to the editor, a sampling of readers' opinions. Join the conversation by commenting on these letters or send your own letter of up to 200 words letters@seattletimes.com.